Cleric Lauds Anambra’s Return of Schools to Mission

About six years after the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi returned schools to the churches in 2010, some stakeholders have commended the government for the move, saying that the story about education in the state has gone international.

Speaking during the ordination of six new priests at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, the Catholic Bishop of Kano Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. John Niyiring, said it was the most courageous thing a person in government had done in Nigeria; adding that since that exercise, the trajectory of education changed in the state. While thanking the state government for the gesture, he called on others to emulate it.

In his remarks, the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Denis Isizor, who encouraged the newly ordained priests to strive at all times to attend to the spiritual needs of the people, also agreed with Niyiring. He said many countries in the world, using Ghana where he had personal experience, are eager to know by what arrangement the partnership between the state government and the churches worked seamlessly for the good of the people, especially in the area of education and healthcare delivery.

Corroborating the submissions of the bishops, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu said the continued reference to education underscored its importance in development. He recalled the gains of the return of schools to the church and how Obi offered real support to the churches.
“Beyond the return of schools and the grant of over N6 billion for the rehabilitation of those schools, Obi also provided buses, internet connectivity, generators, sick bays, libraries, sporting facilities, computers and learning aids to the schools.”